Dalle immagini degli dei ai ritratti degli uomini.Una rivoluzione iconografica nella monetazione antica

The paper presents an overview of the figurative themes of Greek coinage with the aim of identifying the first monetary portrait of a living man (and woman), instead of the traditional images of divine heads. Starting from the first electrum issues minted in Asia Minor (on which some idealized human figures were imprinted), the bimetallic Achaemenid coinage is analysed, as well as the coinage manufactured by Western satraps and by the Macedonian kings Alexander I and Philip II. An in-depth investigation of some of Alexander III’s issues follows (silver denominations, 5-sheqel pieces of the so-called ‘Indian coinage’, two AE series from Egypt). The last part of the essay examines the issues of the Diadochi. They first represent the portrait of Alexander the Great but soon replace it with the self-portrait of the living king, starting with Ptolemy I. However, it was Antiochus I Soter, who appeared on his own coinage without any divine attribute (aegis, horns or animal skins), conferring the portrait a superhuman connotation.